How Digital Skills Training can help end the cycles of addiction and incarceration
“If they had a skillset that allowed them to work, the recidivism went down.”
Tyner, Ky. (April 7, 2025) – At first glance, you likely wouldn’t see Betty Hays as an outspoken advocate for some of the most overlooked populations in our nation. But you would be wrong.
She’s actually a powerful agent of change for those facing addiction and other daunting struggles.
“When they come into the [recovery center], it might be their second or third time there, so they feel pretty beat down. They feel ostracized from everyone,” said Hays. “But, when they see someone not judging them, then they can actually believe that there’s a possible future for them.”
Hays is a Digital Literacy Trainer for the Connected Nation (CN)-led Digital Skills Training (DST) program. She’s one of several trainers who lead the free program, which is funded through a donation from AT&T, in communities across the country.
However, her approach is a little different than her counterparts who host the DST program inside places like city offices, community centers, churches, schools, and senior centers.
In addition to the typical locations, Hays spends much of her time in facilities like detention centers, recovery centers, and jails.
In recovery and in need of support
“I was in workforce development for almost 20 years in southeastern Kentucky,” Hays explained. “My daughter, Ashley, worked in addiction recovery for five years, and she introduced me to the issue.”
She has found those who sign up for the training at recovery centers are some of her most eager students.
“They are ready to change and willing to learn things,” Hays said. “They seem to absorb the training like a sponge. They’re excited and grateful because they’re used to people looking away from them and saying ‘no.’ Even after treatment, it’s really hard because everyone sees them as having a past.”
The training is focused on essential digital skills. These include email and computer basics, internet safety (cybersecurity), creating a résumé, finding a job online, and mobile phone basics — skills many of us take for granted.
“They’re not learning these things organically like you or I because they’re not part of the world as we know it,” Hays said. “They haven’t had a job or been around a computer. So, in our workshops, we talk through the reality of things as they are now — that if you’re going to get a job, you must go online and that you need to get a professional email.”
Training behind bars, reducing recidivism
Those who have spent time in jail and detention centers face many of the same learning challenges as her students in recovery centers, Hays said.
One thing she’s learned over the years is that helping those who are or have been incarcerated gain skills that make them more employable directly reduces recidivism.
“I’ve heard from a few after they’ve gotten out of jail,” she said. “There’s hope because they understand that by learning some internet skills and résumé building, they have a chance at getting a job. They just need someone to believe in them and help them.”
Hays says bringing the DST program into jails or detention centers also helps the workers and administrators who keep them running. Mostly because they’re often understaffed and really need support.
“The workshop participants can use the certificates they earn in the Digital Skills Training program to help with their probation,” Hays said. “In fact, parole officers and rehab centers often require parolees to take life skills classes, and these certificates show they’re learning those essential skills. So, the program can help people once they’re released. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Spreading the word, helping more people
So far, Hays and her team, who are contractors for CN, have hosted 445 workshops training 6,297 people across five states — Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio.
While she also teaches classes at more traditional facilities or job fairs, Hays said her heart is focused on those who are most often overlooked.
“I love doing this work,” she said. “I had drug addiction in my own family with cousins, so I’ve seen how it can devastate a family as a whole. Being able to play some small part to help that person get back to a normal life is really touching and meaningful for me.”
Hays added that other states and organizations could benefit from bringing the DST training program to their area.
“The population that needs this is growing,” she said. “The positive impact of these digital skills workshops is incredible. You think, ‘That’s just an addict,’ but that addict has children and a family, and a lot of people are affected by what’s happening. Any time we can help that person, then that means we can help all the people that person associates with and the community as a whole.”
Head to connectednation.org/programs/digital-skills-training or email us at info@connectednation.org to learn how to bring the program to your community or organization at no cost.
More about Betty Hays
Betty Hays is a contract Digital Literacy Trainer. She and her team support Connected Nation’s Digital Literacy and Learning initiatives by planning and hosting digital literacy workshops, basic skills training, and job fairs in Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Alabama, and Georgia.